<p>With talks underway between the central government and Zydus Cadila over the pricing of the Covid-19 vaccine ZyCov-D, the pharma company is learnt to have proposed a price of Rs 1,900 for its three-dose jab that can be given to those above 12 years of age.</p>.<p>However, the government is negotiating for a reduction in price and a final decision on it is likely to be taken this week, sources in the know of the developments told PTI.</p>.<p>The government had on Thursday said that the indigenously-developed, world's first DNA-based needle-free Covid-19 vaccine by Zydus Cadila will be introduced in the nationwide anti-coronavirus vaccination drive shortly.</p>.<p>"The company has proposed a price of Rs 1,900 inclusive of taxes for its three-dose jab. Negotiations are on. The company has been asked to reconsider all the aspects regarding the cost of the vaccine. A final decision on the price of the vaccine is likely to be taken this week," a source said.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/centre-says-needle-free-zycov-d-to-be-introduced-in-covid-vaccination-drive-shortly-1035904.html" target="_blank">Needle-free ZyCoV-D Covid vaccine to be introduced soon</a></strong></p>.<p>Another source said the ZyCoV-D has to be differently priced than Covaxin and Covishield as, apart from being a three-dose vaccine, there is a needle-free jet injector used for administering the vaccine that costs Rs 30,000.</p>.<p>That jet injector can be used for administering around 20,000 doses.</p>.<p>The vaccine is to be given on days zero, 28 and 56.</p>.<p>According to sources, around three rounds of meetings have taken place so far between the Centre and the company, the last one on Thursday.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, the ministry is also waiting for the recommendations from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI ) for introducing ZyCoV-D in the inoculation drive and prioritising beneficiaries focusing on those aged 12-18 years with comorbidities.</p>.<p>The NTAGI will provide the protocol and framework for the introduction of this vaccine in the Covid-19 immunisation drive, an official source said.</p>.<p>As far as the price of the vaccine at which it will be procured is concerned, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, at a press conference on Thursday, said the government is in conversation with the manufacturers.</p>.<p>"Since this is a three-dose vaccine and comes with a needleless delivery system, it would have a differential pricing than the existing vaccines which are being used in the Covid vaccination programme," he said.</p>.<p>The vaccine ZyCoV-D received Emergency Use Authorisation from the drug regulator on August 20 making it the first vaccine to be administered in the age-group of 12 to 18 besides adults.</p>.<p>Vaccines Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V are being given to only those above 18 years of age and unlike ZyCoV-D, these are two-dose vaccines.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>
<p>With talks underway between the central government and Zydus Cadila over the pricing of the Covid-19 vaccine ZyCov-D, the pharma company is learnt to have proposed a price of Rs 1,900 for its three-dose jab that can be given to those above 12 years of age.</p>.<p>However, the government is negotiating for a reduction in price and a final decision on it is likely to be taken this week, sources in the know of the developments told PTI.</p>.<p>The government had on Thursday said that the indigenously-developed, world's first DNA-based needle-free Covid-19 vaccine by Zydus Cadila will be introduced in the nationwide anti-coronavirus vaccination drive shortly.</p>.<p>"The company has proposed a price of Rs 1,900 inclusive of taxes for its three-dose jab. Negotiations are on. The company has been asked to reconsider all the aspects regarding the cost of the vaccine. A final decision on the price of the vaccine is likely to be taken this week," a source said.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/centre-says-needle-free-zycov-d-to-be-introduced-in-covid-vaccination-drive-shortly-1035904.html" target="_blank">Needle-free ZyCoV-D Covid vaccine to be introduced soon</a></strong></p>.<p>Another source said the ZyCoV-D has to be differently priced than Covaxin and Covishield as, apart from being a three-dose vaccine, there is a needle-free jet injector used for administering the vaccine that costs Rs 30,000.</p>.<p>That jet injector can be used for administering around 20,000 doses.</p>.<p>The vaccine is to be given on days zero, 28 and 56.</p>.<p>According to sources, around three rounds of meetings have taken place so far between the Centre and the company, the last one on Thursday.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, the ministry is also waiting for the recommendations from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI ) for introducing ZyCoV-D in the inoculation drive and prioritising beneficiaries focusing on those aged 12-18 years with comorbidities.</p>.<p>The NTAGI will provide the protocol and framework for the introduction of this vaccine in the Covid-19 immunisation drive, an official source said.</p>.<p>As far as the price of the vaccine at which it will be procured is concerned, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, at a press conference on Thursday, said the government is in conversation with the manufacturers.</p>.<p>"Since this is a three-dose vaccine and comes with a needleless delivery system, it would have a differential pricing than the existing vaccines which are being used in the Covid vaccination programme," he said.</p>.<p>The vaccine ZyCoV-D received Emergency Use Authorisation from the drug regulator on August 20 making it the first vaccine to be administered in the age-group of 12 to 18 besides adults.</p>.<p>Vaccines Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V are being given to only those above 18 years of age and unlike ZyCoV-D, these are two-dose vaccines.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>